Protective device

ABSTRACT

A protective device for occupants of vehicles includes a manifold disposed in front of passengers and connected with a source of high pressure gas. The manifold has closely spaced ports facing the passengers and may be covered with a padding material having outwardly opening pockets at the ports. The pockets contain flexible tube elements which are connected to the ports and are normally deflated and compacted into the pockets. When the vehicle experiences a collision, the high pressure gas is generated or released and inflates the tube elements, causing them to expand from the pockets and form a protective cushion in front of the passengers. This cushion has little or no fabric or surface tension forces and when used with proper valves or tube element shapes can provide controlled retarding force.

1451 July 24, 1973 PROTECTIVE DEVICE [76] Inventor: Robert H. Graebe, 4Signal Hill Blvd., East St. Louis, 111. 62203 [22] Filed: Sept. 17, 1971[21] Appl. No.: 181,438

[52] U.S. Cl. 280/1 50 AB, 9/316, 137/67, 222/5, 5/348 [51] Int. ClB6011 21/08 [58] Field of Search... 280/150 AB; 222/5; 9/316-324; 5/348;244/121 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 978,378 12 1910 Ingaramo 9 317 2,418,798 4/1947 Whitmer..... 244/121 2,780,389 2/1957Sandgren 222/5 3,579,964 4/1971 Ohlstein 222/5 3,582,107 6/1971 Goetz280/150 AB 3,603,535 9/1971 De Polo 280/150 AB 3,622,176 11/1971 Byer180/90 X 3,632,133 1/1972 Hass 280/150 AB 3,642,303 2/1972 Irish et al.280/150 AB FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,431,098 l/l966 France.....'280/150 AB Primary Examiner-Kenneth H. Betts Assistant Examiner-John P.Silverstrim Attorney-Gravely, Lieder & Woodruff [57] ABSTRACT Aprotective device for occupants of vehicles includes a manifold disposedin front of passengers and connected with a source of high pressure gas.The manifold has closely spaced ports facing the passengers and may becovered with a padding material having outwardly opening pockets at theports. The pockets contain flexible' tube elements which are connectedto the ports and are normally deflated and compacted into the pockets.When the vehicle experiences a collision, the high pressure gas isgenerated or released and inflates the tube elements, causing them toexpand from the pockets and form a protective cushion in front of thepassengers. This cushion has little or no fabric or surface tensionforces and when used with proper valves or tube element shapes canprovide controlled retarding force.

I 15 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PROTECTIVE DEVICE REFERENCE TO PRIORAPPLICATION This invention is related to the invention disclosed in thecopending application of Robert H. Graebe, Serial No. 781,472 filedDecember 5, 1968 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,605,145.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION when the vehicle is subjected to a severeimpact. The' inflatable bags heretofore envisioned can be quite large,and must be deployed from one central exit point. The speed ofdeployment is therefore limited by the amount of unfolding which mustoccur. During this unfolding operation very little impact protection isavailable to the'occupant. In other words, the bags must be nearly fullyinflated to provide adequate protection, but often suffieient time isnot available to effect a complete inflation. Also, while a single bagmay provide some measure of protection against purely head-on impacts,it will not adequately confine the individuals behind it against lateralmovement or otherwise prevent them from being thrown about the passengercompartment should the vehicle turn over-or be subjected to lateralimpacts. In this same vein, such bags do not provide sufficientprotection and can lnjure the so-called out-of-position occupants, thatis those passengers who are not occupying normal seat positions at thetime of the collision. Moreover, the deployment of large bags is usuallyaccompanied by noise of extremely large magnitude, and this noise couldprove damaging to the ears.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the principal objects of the presentinvention is to provide a protective device which is stored in anextremely compact condition, but which will rapidly inflate uniformly,upon receiving a proper signal from a crash sensor when the vehicle issubjected to a severe impact, to cushion the occupant from the interiorstructures of the vehicle. Another object is to provide a protectivedevice of the type stated which substantially envelops the occupants ofthe vehicle so that they are completely contained and will not shiftabout the interior of the passenger compartment during a crash. Afurther object is to provide a protective device of the type statedwhich provides protection against lateral impacts and protection forout-of-positlon occupants. An additional object is to provide aprotective device of the type stated which deploys at a relatively lowsound level, and provides a high degree of protection as it deploys.Still another object is to provide a protective device of the typestated having a secondary energy absorption medium as back-upcushioning. Yet another object is to provide a protective device whichdoes not significantly detract from the space available within thepassenger compartment or from the appearance of the passengercompartment whennot in use. An'additional object is to provide aprotective device of the type stated which provides rebound control,continues to maintain protection for multiple impacts, and does nothinder the breathing of one confined by it. An addition] object is tominimize injury to the occupant from the restraint'device itself.Another object is to provide a means of attaining a high degree ofreliability that a proper inflation will occur. These and other objectsand advantages will become apparent hereinfater.

The present invention is embodied in a protective device includingflexible tube-like elements which are norm-ally housed in pockets andwhen inflated project beyond the pockets to form a protective cushion.

The invention also consists in the parts and in the combinations ofparts hereinafter described and claimed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings which form partof the specification and wherein like numerals refer to like partswherever they occur.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary sectional view of an automobile provided with aprotective device constructed in accordance with and embodying thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away and in section, ofthe protective device;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken through some of the pocketsof the protective device;

FIG. 4 is a top view showing the protective device inflated andcushioning a passenger of an automotive vehicle; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the porting in a modifiedform of the protective device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, 2 (FIG. 1)designates a protective device for protecting the occupants of thepassenger compartment 4 of an automobile or other vehicle. The passengercompartment 4 contains a seat 6 which is anchored to a floor 8 and facestoward a windshield 10 and a firewall 12 both of which define the frontof the passenger compartment 4. The sides of the passenger compartment 4are closed by doors 14, while the top is closed by a roof 16. Positionedin front of the firewall 12 is a dashboard 18, and the dashboard 18supports and contains the protective device 2, which when deployedsubstantially fills the front part of the passenger compartment 4 withlong and slender inflated elements capable of cushioning impactsresulting from collisions or from the vehicle overturning.

The protective device 2 includes a compressed gas cylinder 20 which ismounted in a fixed position behind the dashboard l8. Disposed in frontof the cylinder 20 is a manifold 22 which is configured to generallywrap around the forwardly presented side of the cylinder 20 so that themanifold 22 possesses a generally arcuate shape. At its head end thecylinder 20 is provided with an explosive, an electrically, or amechanically operated valve 24 which is normally closed and is energizedby a sensing element or crash sensor (not shown). The sensing element isconventional and is responsive to impacts. When such an impact isdetected an electric current or other properly conditioned signal isdirected to the valve 24 which opens and allows the stored contents ofthe cylinder 20 to discharge as a high pressure gas. The valve 24 andmanifold 22 are connected through a tube 26 so that when the valve 24opens, the compressed gas is released into the manifold 22. The

manifold 22 has a multiplicity of tube-like exhaust ports 28 projectingfrom its rearwardly presented face at closely spaced intervals, andthese ports 28 are slightly enlarged at their outer ends in theformation of slight flanges 30. Finally, the manifold 22 is providedwith a release valve 31 which is timed to open at the end of apredetermined period after the sensing element is activated.

In lieu of the compressed gas cylinder 20, a solid state gas generatormay be utilized to supply the high pressure gas. These devices, uponreceiving a signal from the crash sensor, generate gas and discharge itat high pressure.

The rearwardly presented face of the manifold 22, that is, the facepresented rearwardly toward the passenger compartment 4 and seat 6therein may be covered by a housing or padding material 32 ofsubstantial thickness, and this material is preferably a foamed orcellular plastic such as polyurethane. The padding material 32 hassufficient body to remain self-standing and only deforms when subjectedto outside forces such as those occasioned by a passenger bumpinginto'it. The padding material 32 projects outwardly considerably beyondthe outer ends of the ports 28, and at each port 28 is provided with agenerally cylindrical pocket 34 so that the ports 28 are disposed withinthe pockets 34.

The pockets 34 extend completely through the padding material 32 and attheir outer ends are closed by cover devices 36 which normally lie flushwith the exposed surface of the padding material 32. The devices 36,however, are mounted such that they swing outwardly or otherwise leavetheir covering position when subjected to outwardly directed forces fromwithin the pockets 34.

In addition to the exhaust ports 28, each pocket 34 further contains aflexible tube element 40 which is normally deflated and coiled orotherwise disposed in a highly compact configuration so that it will fitentirely within its pocket 34. Preferably, the tube elements 40 areformed from a flexible material. Each tube element 40 includes anelongated body 42 of substantially uniform or tapered diameter. At itsone end the body 42 is closed, while at its opposite end it merges intoa neck 44 which fits over the exhaust port 28 within the pocket 34. Theneck 44 is retained on the exhaust port 28 by a cinch ring 46 whichembraces the neck 44 and the port 28 between the slight flange 30 andthe manifold 22. When the tube elements 40 are elongated, that is whenthey are inflated, they possess sufficient length to reach almost to theseat 6.

Should the vehicle having the protective device 2 therein becomeinvolved in a collision, the sensing device will be activated, and itwill cause energy to become available to operate the valve 24. The valve24, in turn, will release the contents of the cylinder 20 and allow thatgas to flow through the tube 26 and into the manifold 22. If a solidstate gas generator is used, the sensing device will activate thegenerator and cause it to generate high pressure gases which likewisewill be directed through the tube 26 to the manifold 22. The pressurizedgas within the manifold 22 exhausts into the coiled tube elements 40. Asthe tube elements 40 expand within their respective pockets 34, theybear against the cover devices 36 and dislodge them from their coveringpositions over the pockets 34. Thereafter, the tube elements 40 expandthrough the passenger compartment 4 toward the seat 6 and bear againstpassengers seated upon the seat 6 (FIGS. 1 and 4). In this connection,it should be noted that the incline and shape of the open ends for thevarious pockets 34 is such that the inflated tube elements 40 expandthrough substantially the entire forward portion of the passengercompartment 4. The foregoing events occur within a fraction of a secondand cause a useful surface to be deployed uniformly and synchronouslythroughout its entire length of travel and before the forward momentumof the passengers bring them to the dashboard 18.

Since the exhaust ports 28 are closely spaced on the manifold 22, theelongated bodies 42 of the tube elements 40 substantially fill that partof the passenger compartment 4 located immediately behind the dashboard18 and windshield 10, so that during the impact the passengers areprevented from being hurled against the windshield 10 or rigidstructural portions of the vehicle. Instead the passengers sink into themultitude of inflated elements 40 located ahead of them and this ofcourse cushions the impact significantly. In some vehicles it may bedesirable to concentrate more flexible tube elements in one part of thepassenger compartment 4 than other parts, and this is easilyaccomplished by varying the angles and shapes of the pockets 34 at theiropen ends. Thus, the tube elements 40 can be directed to bunch together,and likewise to extend into remote areas. Inasmuch as the tube elements40 are structurally independent of one another the expansion of eachtubular element 40 is not in any way inhibited by adjacent tube elements40. Therefore, while one element may engage one of the passengers and beprevented from fully expanding thereby, other elements 40 will expandfully toward the seat 6, thus providing cushioning to the sides and topof the passengers so as to completely confine them in the event of acollision. This ability of the protective device 2 to completely confineand contain passengers is extremely valuable in collisions involvingsubsequent lateral impacts or where the vehicle rolls over. The presenceof a multiplicity of tube elements 40, instead of a single large airbag, causes only the deployment energies of those tube elements 42 thatengage the occupant to be absorbed by the occupant which greatly reducesthe chances of injury to the occupant over those of a large bag. Toretain the tube elements in a gathered or bunched arrangement so thatthey do not spread excessively when a passenger sinks into them, thetube elements at the periphery of the pattern may be connected togetherthrough a string or elastic band.

The multiplicity of tube elements also causes acoustic attenuation sothat the sound level at deployment is not nearly as great as the air bagtype of protective device. In other words, each tube element can be madeto deployat a slightly different rate causing out-ofphase sound pressurefronts which will tend to cancel themselves out and the space betweeneach tube element helps to trap acoustic energies.

To enhance the cushioning effect orifices may be provided at each port28 so that when a flexible element 40 is compressed due to the inertialforce of a passenger against it, it will not deflate rapidly, butinstead will deflate at a controlled rate. When orifices are employed,they can be used in conjunction with check valves or can be incorporatedinto a differential flow valve which will permit rapid inflation offlexible elements 40. In other words, the presence of orifices shouldnot in any way impede the inflation of the flexible elements 40, for itis important to have them deploy in the shortest possible time.

If the impact is severe enough to completely collapse the tubularelements 40, the padding material 32 will provide back-up cushioning. Aspreviously noted, the rate of energy absorption can be controlled byinstalling an orifice at the base of each flexible tube element 40.Likewise, it can be altered by varying the elasticity that each tubeelement 42 possesses. The gas entrapped in each tube element 42 that isbeing collapsed by the occupant, is caused to flow into the manifold andwill pass into other flexible tube elements 42. When the restrainingforces caused by the impact are over, the

compressed gas which is now stored in the unengaged flexible tubeelements will flow back, at a rate which prevents rebounding theoccupant, into previously collapsed flexible tube elements that wereengaged by the constrained occupant. This mode of operation makes thesystem available for successive impacts until such time as the timedrelease valve 31 located on the manifold 22 is opened to deflatethesystem to assist indisengaging the occupant. If no second impactprotection is desired then ventilated flexible tube elements or manifoldcan be used which need not be intercommunicated.

In a modified embodiment of the protective device 2, (FIG. 5), thecylinder 20, valve 24, and tube 26 are eliminated and the manifold 22 issealed, except at the exhaust ports 28, each of which or one of acluster is threaded internally to receive and retain an adapter 60. Theslight flange 30 is formed on the opposite end of the adapter 60 and theneck 44 of thetube element 40 is fitted over the adapter 60 and retainedthereon by the cinch ring 46.

Internally, the adapter 60 is provided with a web 62 having a conicalseat 64 thereon, and the seat 64 retains the end of a small vessel orcylinder 66 of a solid state gas generator or contains compressed gas.Actually, the cylinder 66 at its one end has a reduced end portion 68which projects through the seat 64 and beyond the web 62 where it isprovided with a puncturable seal 69, while at its opposite end it isdome-shaped. The opposite end of the adapter 60, that is the outermostend, has internal threads and receives a threaded cap 70 which screwsdown against the domed end of the cylinder 66 and retains it in place.Both the web 62 and the cap 70 have axially extending ports 71 whichallow gas discharged from the neck of the cylinder 66 to pass along theside thereof and into the tubular element 46.

The inner end of the adapter 60 is likewise threaded and is fitted witha plug 72 having a dish-shaped deflector surface 74 presented toward theend portion 68 of the cylinder 66. The plug 72 is centrally aperturedand fitted with an electrically operated detonator 76 which contains asmall explosive charge 78 and a shiftable pin 80 behind the charge 78.The pin 80 projects through the central aperture in the plug 72 and hasa point 82 located immediately ahead of the seal 69 at the end of thereduced end portion 68 on the cylinder 66. In addition, the detonator 76has several oblique passageways 84 extending through it, and thesepassageways open into the manifold 22. The detonator 76 is connected toa sensing device (not shown)v which sends electrical current through itwhen an impact is detected. The oblique passageways 84 may be deletedand no manifold 22 used when ventilated tube elements 40 are used toeffect rebound control.

Should the vehicle provided with the modified embodiment of theprotective device 2 become involved in a collision, the sensing devicewill divert electrical current to the detonator 76 to ignite theexplosive charge 78. This explosion will drive the pin 80 rearwardly andcause its point 82 to puncture the seal 69, thereby releasing thecompressed gas or activating the gas generating material containedwithin the cylinder 66. Much of the gas is diverted upwardly at thedishshaped deflecting surface 74. This gas flows through the ports 71and into the interior of the tube elements 40. As each tube element 40inflates, it expands outwardly and leaves its pocket 34, as previouslydiscussed. The foregoing is, of course, repeated at each pocket 34 sothat a cushion of tube elements 40 is formed in the front of thepassenger compartment 4. The remainder of the gas from each cylinder 66passes through the oblique passageways 84 in the detonator 76 and thenceinto the interior of the manifold 22, so

, capacity of the gas source and the inflated volume of the protectivedevice 2, a gas source 66 may not be required at each tube element 40but may be proportionally distributed throughout a manifold assembly 22and have itsgas additively shared by all tube elements 40. Conversely,each tube element 40 may have a gas generator 66 but only selected onesmay be activated on the initial impact and the remaining unactivated gasgenerators 66 can be activated on successive impacts.

This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications of theexample of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the disclosurewhich do not constitute departures from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

What is claimed is:

1. A protective device comprising: a manifold having a plurality ofports facing generally in the same direction; independent flexible tubeelements connected with the ports and normally disposed in a deflatedand compact condition; housing means formed from a padding materialwhich extends across and substantially covers the manifold, the housingmeans having pockets in which the tube elements are disposed whendeflated, cover devices normally closing the ends of the pockets toprotect and obscure the tube elements contained therein; a source ofhigh pressure gas connected to the manifold; and means for initiatingthe flow of gas into the manifold and tube elementsto inflate the tubeelements so that they expand and project outwardly from the pockets toform a protective cushion, the ends of the pockets being shaped to guidethe direction the tube elements will take when inflated.

2. A protective device comprising: a manifold having a plurality ofports projecting therefrom and facing generally in the same direction;independent flexible tube elements connected with the ports and normallydisposed in a deflated and compact condition, the tube elements havingtheir inner ends fitted over and embracing the ports; housing meansformed from a padding material which extends across and substantiallycovers the manifold, the housing means having pockets into which theports of the manifold project and in which the tube elements aredisposed when deflated; cover devices normally closing the ends of thepockets to protect and obscure the tube elements contained therein; asource of high pressure gas connected to the manifold; and means forinitiating the flow of gas into the manifold and tube elements toinflate the tube elements so that they expand and project outwardly fromthe pockets to form a protective cushion.

3. A protective device comprising: a manifold having a plurality ofports facing generally in the same direction; independent flexible tubeelements connected with the ports and normally disposed in a deflatedand compact condition; closed vessels adjacent said ports and havingends presented towards the manifold, the vessels containing compressedgas; pins for puncturing the ends to allow the compressed gas to flowfrom the vessels; explosive charges for driving the pins into thevessels; deflecting surfaces disposed between the vessel ends and themanifold for deflecting some of the gas released from the vessels intothe flexible tube elements attached to the ports, the deflectingsurfaces being apertured so that some of the gas flows into themanifold, whereby the tube elements will inflate and expand away fromthe manifold when the vessels are punctured so as to form a protectivecushion.

4. A device for protecting the occupants in the passenger compartment ofa vehicle during a collision, said device comprising: a manifold havinga plurality of closely spaced ports facing the passenger compartment,the ports being in communication with one another through the interiorof the manifold; a source of high pressure gas connected with themanifold; means for causing the source of high pressure gas to dischargethe gas into the manifold so that the gas will flow through the ports;and inflatable tube elements formed from a flexible material with eachtube element being substantially longer than it is wide and with thewidth being substantially less than the width of an occupant, each tubeelement further being closed at one end and having an opening at itsother end, the open ends of the tube elements being connected to themanifold at the ports thereof with each port opening into a differenttube element, whereby the interiors of all the tube elements are incommunication through the manifold, the tube elements being stored in adeflated and compact condition remote from the occupants and beinginflated to an expanded condition in which at least some of them engagethe occupants when the high pressure gas is discharged into themanifold, the ports of the manifold being positioned in close proximityto one another so that the adjacent tube elements will be close to oneanother when inflated, the positioning being such that when the tubeelements are inflated the closed ends of a plurality of tube elementswill engage an occupant both crosswise and lengthwise and as theoccupant sinks into those tube elements other tube elements will bepresented to the sides of the occupant to provide lateral confinement.

5. A protective device according to claim 4 and further characterized bya housing in front of the manifold and having pockets aligned with theports, each pocket containing a separate tube element which is housedentirely within the pocket when in its deflated and compact condition,each pocket being oriented to direct the tube element therein into aselected portion of the passenger compartment when the tube element isinflated.

6. A protective device according to claim 5 wherein the ends of thepockets are normally closed by cover devices to obscure and protect thetube elements contained therein.

7. A protective device according to claim 5 wherein the ports projectfrom the manifold and into the pockets; and wherein the tube elements attheir inner ends are fitted over and embrace the ports.

8. A protective device according to claim 5 wherein the housing includesa padding material presented toward the occupants and extending acrossand substantially covering the manifold.

9. A protective device according to claim 4 wherein the source of highpressure gas comprises a closed vessel at at least some of the ports,and means for puncturing each vessel to allow gas to flow therefrom,each vessel being in communication with the interior of the tube elementattached to the port at which it is disposed and with the interior ofthe manifold.

10. A protective device according to claim 9 wherein the means forpuncturing each vessel includes an explosive charge and a pin which isdriven into the vessel by the explosive charge.

11. A protective device according to claim 4 and further characterizedby means associated with the tube elements for controlling the rate atwhich the gas is expelled from the tube elements and discharged backinto the manifold once the tube elements have been inflated.

12. A protective device according to claim 11 wherein the means forcontrolling the rate at which the gas is expelled from the tube elementscomprises orifices at the open ends of the tube elements.

13. A protective device according to claim 12 wherein the means forcontrolling the rate at which the gas is expelled from the tube elementsfurther includes check valves at the ports and oriented to permit gas tofreely enter the tube elements and to restrict the discharge of gas fromthe tube elements.

14. A protective device according to claim 11 wherein the means forcontrolling the rate at which the gas is expelled from the tube elementsdoes not substantially impede the flow of gas into the tube elements.

15. A protective device according to claim 4 wherein the tube elementsare tapered.

m 4: a a 4:

1. A protective device comprising: a manifold having a plurality ofports facing generally in the same direction; independent flexible tubeelements connected with the ports and normally disposed in a deflatedand compact condition; housing means formed from a padding materialwhich extends across and substantially covers the manifold, the housingmeans having pockets in which the tube elements are disposed whendeflated, cover devices normally closing the ends of the pockets toprotect and obscure the tube elements contained therein; a source ofhigh pressure gas connected to the manifold; and means for initiatingthe flow of gas into the manifold and tube elements to inflate the tubeelements so that they expand and project outwardly from the pockets toform a protective cushion, the ends of the pockets being shaped to guidethe direction the tube elements will take when inflated.
 2. A protectivedevice comprising: a manifold having a plurality of ports projectingtherefrom and facing generally in the same direction; independentflexible tube elements connected with the ports and normally disposed ina deflated and compact condition, the tube elements having their innerends fitted over and embracing the ports; housing means formed from apadding material which extends across and substantially covers themanifold, the housing means having pockets into which the ports of themanifold project and in which the tube elements are disposed whendeflated; cover devices normally closing the ends of the pockets toprotect and obscure the tube elements contained therein; a source ofhigh pressure gas connected to the manifold; and means for initiatingthe flow of gas into the manifold and tube elements to inflate the tubeelements so that they expand and project outwardly from the pockets toform a protective cushion.
 3. A protective device comprising: a manifoldhaving a plurality of ports facing generally in the same direction;independent flexible tube elements connected with the ports and normallydisposed in a deflated and compact condition; closed vessels adjacentsaid ports and having ends presented towards the manifold, the vesselscontaining compressed gas; pins for puncturing the ends to allow thecompressed gas to flow from the vessels; explosive charges for drivingthe pins into the vessels; deflecting surfaces disposed between thevessel ends and the manifold for deflecting some of the gas releasedfrom the vessels into the flexible tube elements attached to the ports,the deflecting surfaces being apertured so that some of the gas flowsinto the manifold, whereby the tube elements will inflate and expandaway from the manifold when the vessels are punctured so as to form aprotective cushion.
 4. A device for protecting the occupants in thepassenger compartment of a vehicle during a collision, said devicecomprising: a manifold having a plurality of closely spaced ports facingthe passenger compartment, the ports being in communication with oneanother through the interior of the manifold; a source of high pressuregas connected with the manifold; means for causing the source of highpressure gas to discharge the gas Into the manifold so that the gas willflow through the ports; and inflatable tube elements formed from aflexible material with each tube element being substantially longer thanit is wide and with the width being substantially less than the width ofan occupant, each tube element further being closed at one end andhaving an opening at its other end, the open ends of the tube elementsbeing connected to the manifold at the ports thereof with each portopening into a different tube element, whereby the interiors of all thetube elements are in communication through the manifold, the tubeelements being stored in a deflated and compact condition remote fromthe occupants and being inflated to an expanded condition in which atleast some of them engage the occupants when the high pressure gas isdischarged into the manifold, the ports of the manifold being positionedin close proximity to one another so that the adjacent tube elementswill be close to one another when inflated, the positioning being suchthat when the tube elements are inflated the closed ends of a pluralityof tube elements will engage an occupant both crosswise and lengthwiseand as the occupant sinks into those tube elements other tube elementswill be presented to the sides of the occupant to provide lateralconfinement.
 5. A protective device according to claim 4 and furthercharacterized by a housing in front of the manifold and having pocketsaligned with the ports, each pocket containing a separate tube elementwhich is housed entirely within the pocket when in its deflated andcompact condition, each pocket being oriented to direct the tube elementtherein into a selected portion of the passenger compartment when thetube element is inflated.
 6. A protective device according to claim 5wherein the ends of the pockets are normally closed by cover devices toobscure and protect the tube elements contained therein.
 7. A protectivedevice according to claim 5 wherein the ports project from the manifoldand into the pockets; and wherein the tube elements at their inner endsare fitted over and embrace the ports.
 8. A protective device accordingto claim 5 wherein the housing includes a padding material presentedtoward the occupants and extending across and substantially covering themanifold.
 9. A protective device according to claim 4 wherein the sourceof high pressure gas comprises a closed vessel at at least some of theports, and means for puncturing each vessel to allow gas to flowtherefrom, each vessel being in communication with the interior of thetube element attached to the port at which it is disposed and with theinterior of the manifold.
 10. A protective device according to claim 9wherein the means for puncturing each vessel includes an explosivecharge and a pin which is driven into the vessel by the explosivecharge.
 11. A protective device according to claim 4 and furthercharacterized by means associated with the tube elements for controllingthe rate at which the gas is expelled from the tube elements anddischarged back into the manifold once the tube elements have beeninflated.
 12. A protective device according to claim 11 wherein themeans for controlling the rate at which the gas is expelled from thetube elements comprises orifices at the open ends of the tube elements.13. A protective device according to claim 12 wherein the means forcontrolling the rate at which the gas is expelled from the tube elementsfurther includes check valves at the ports and oriented to permit gas tofreely enter the tube elements and to restrict the discharge of gas fromthe tube elements.
 14. A protective device according to claim 11 whereinthe means for controlling the rate at which the gas is expelled from thetube elements does not substantially impede the flow of gas into thetube elements.
 15. A protective device according to claim 4 wherein thetube elements are tapered.